Gas treating device



Oct. 18, 1932. c. M. ASHLEY GASTREATING DEVICE 4 sheets-sheet 2 AFiled April 9, 1928 Oct. 18, 1932.

c. M. ASHLEY GAS TREATING DEVICE l Filed April 9', ,192s 4 sheets-sheet s Oct. 18, 1932.

c. M, ASHLEY 1,883,456

GAS TREATING DEVICE Filed April 9, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented oci. 1s, 1932 UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE CAELYLE'M. ASHLEY, or. oRANGE, NEW JERSEY, AssIoNoE 'ro CARRIER ENGINEERING ooEPoEA'rIoN, 0E NEWARK, NEW JERSEY GAS TBEATING DEVICE Application led April 9,

This invention relates to gas treating devices, and particularly tothe treatment of such gases with a liquid preferably in the form of a line spray. ,Such devices are particularly useful for conditioning air and for washing and scrubbing gases.

' An object of this invention is to generally improve, render`more eiicient, and simplify gas treating devices. l0 Another object of the invention is to provvide an improved gas 4treating device which is largely self-contained; which is to some extent portable; which` may be made small and compact for use where a small capacity device is desired; Which will be exception# ally efficient inaction for all capacities for which it may be built; and with which the action of the liquid spray may be easily, ef- `fectively and conveniently controlled.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for the treatment of a gas with which -a more complete, perfect and uniform contact of the liquid and gas may be obtained under all operating conditions, and with which the escape of un'- 'vaporized moisture with the gas is effectively prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for treating gases, 30 which W1ll require a minlmum of lubricatlon;

with which the treating liquid may be condit-ioned as to temperature and effectively utilized; 'which may be easilyassembled;

with which the bearings will be self alining which maybeshipped without danger of injur to the bearings and other parts; and which willbe relatively simple, compact, durable, light in Weight, and inexpensive.

Various other objects and advantages will Y be apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the inventionand the novel features Will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in the appended claims.

In the, accompanying rawings :-A Fg. 1 is a sectional elevation of a device constructed in accordance WithV the invenf tion;`

Fig. 2 is a 'sectional elevation on a larger scale of some of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device;

- removable i928. serial No. 268,467.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of a portion of the same at the gas inlet opening, the section lbeing taken approximately along the line vthe line 7--7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is another sectional plan of the same, with the section taken approximately along the line 8 8 of Fig. 1; j

Fig. 9, is another side elevation of the lower part of the device;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation of some of the part-s of the liquid control;

F1g. 11 is a sectional plan of a portion ofv the li uid elevating conduit, the section being ta en approximately along the line 11. 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a diagram of the spray creating device, to illustrate its operation;

Fig.-13is a diagrammatic plan of the casing and spray creating device of Fig. 12.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the enclosing casing 10 may be of 89 any suitable shape or size, but for example is illustrated as bein square in cross section and of greater heig t than breadth. This casing may be formed of sheet metalA and mounted upon any suitable base 11. The

lower `end of the casing is closed so as to serve as a reservoir 12, and immediately above the reservoir the casing is provided witha gas inlet o ning 13 in one or morev sides, as desired. he upper end of the casing is provided with one or more gas outlet openings 14 in one or more sides thereof, or an '4 outlet opening may beprovided in the top wall of the casing.

A skeleton frame 15 is provided upon the inside of the casin which frame 4may be inserted or remove through the upper end of the casin the top wall of the casing being or thatv urpose, and many o the movable parts of e mechanism for treat- 10 ing the gasinay be mounted upon the skeleA-.I `-ton frame.

This skeleton frame may include a top frame section 16 and a bottom or base frame section 17, which are connected by a plurality of posts or standards such as at the corners of the frame sections. 'The upper frame section 16 may include a central pan Aor cup-shaped portion 18 connected to the outer band of the frame by a plurality of radiating arms 19, resembling very much the radial arms of a spider frame.

A source of power, such'as an electric motor 20, is mounted in the cup-shaped portion 18 of the upper frame section 16, this motor having a depending driving shaft 21 (Fig.

2) which extends downwardly through the upper edges of the radial arms, so as to pro' vide a closed or impervious upper end wall for the fan or blower element 22.

A spindle 26 is disposed below and alined with the shaft 21 and enters the bore of the hub 23 of the blower element, being secured therein in any suitable manner, such as by another tapered pin 27 which may be driven vtransversely through the hub; and adjacent end of the spindle. The spindle 26 may be reduced in diameter as at 26 or'some distance below its point of connectiontothe hub 23, so as to be flexible, and below the-'flexible section the spindle is again relatively inliexible. The hub 23 is provided with a depending sleeve or shield portion 28 which extends along the flexible portion ofthe spindle 26 and to a point adjacent or below theilower end of thel liexible portion, as shown iil'Fi-gf2. The lower end of this sleeve 28 encircles the spindle 26 and is somewhat spaced therefrom, so that the spindle may have a small amount of clearance or lateral play therein to permit of a limited flexing of the iexible'portion of the spindle 26.'l

A spray member 29 is secured to the lower end of the-spindle 26 in any suitable manner,

this member having, for example, a boss' 30 which receives the lower end of the spindle 26 to whlch it may be coupled in any suitable manner, such as by a tapered or wedge pin 31 which may bedriven through alined, transc verse passages in the boss and in the lower part vof the spindle. This spray member 29 may be in the form of a shaft or conduit closed at its upper end and open at its lower end.v The lower end ofthis spray member is rotatably mounted ina bearing ring 32 which is preferably formed of water lubri,

hated bushing materials such as lignum vitae, hard rubber,

and graphite impregnated Woods, the spray member extending sonicwhat below the bearing ring so as to open at its lower end below the bearing ring.

The lower frame section 17 of the frame 15 is. provided with a plurality of arms 33, T- shape in cross section, which extend radially toward the vertical axis of the spray member and also upwardly in an inclined direcl tion to some extent, these arms being connected at their inner ends by a ring 34. A somewhat cup-shaped ianged bearing member 35 is clamped or otherwise secured atits flange to the underface of this ring 34, such as by bolts 36 Figs. 8 and 10). This bearing member 35 has a central tubular portion 37 depending from its flange and terminating at its lower end in an internal flange 38, and the bearing ring 32 is disposed within this depending portion 37 of the bearing member and rests upon the inturned flange 38.

Cushion means 39 may be disposed between the outer periphery of the ring 32 and the inner surface of the depending portion 37 ofthe bearing member 35, so as to permit of a limited ing ring as may be necessary for alinement of the lowerend ofthe spray member with the motor shaft 21. Y

A From the foregoing `it will be observed that the spray member Ais suspended from the spindle 26, and the latter is in turn suspended from the boss of the fan or blower element 22 which is secured to the depending motor sh aft 21. The motor thus suspends and rotates the blower element and the spray member, the

lexibility of the spindle and the self-alining bearing at the lower end of the spray member insuring free rotation of the blower element and spray member without binding. The sleeve 28 which guards the llexible portion of the spindle 26prevents movements of the spindle to an extent which might cause injury thereto., and therefore the device may be shipped with safety and without danger of breakage ofthe spindle. due to blows or shocks to which it might be subjected while being transported.

A frustro-conical shield 40, Figs. 1 and 2, is disposed in an invertedpositionupon the upper face of the bearing member 35, and is provided at its lower or smaller end with an external flange by' which itis secured to the w bearing member, such as by bolts or screws 41. The shield extends above the liquid level maintained in the reservoir section of the lower end of the casing, which level is represented, for example, by the dash line 42 in Figs. 1 and 2. A stopper lever 43 is hinged by pivot pin 44 between depending ears 45 of the bearing member 35, and has an angular portion extending below the lower end of the bearing member 35 where it terminates in a stopper plate 46. This stopper plate is provided upon its upper face `with an annular gasket 47 which may beheld 'against lateral movement thereon by means of an annular ring 48 provided upon the upper `face hump 49, Figs. l, 3 and 8, and this hump extends upwardly above the liquid level in the reservoirl p art of the casing, being open at its ,upper end. The. free. end of the stopper lever 43 extends into this hump 49 where it is connected to the lower end of a rod or cable 50 which extends upwardly along the outer face of the casing 10 to a suitable operating arm 51 3. -This voperating arm 51 may be manipulated manually if desired,

but preferably is mechanically operated by a suitable motor device. 52 which is controlled by circuit wires 53 leading to a suitable liu-' midistat, not shown. Y

The spray member 29, adjacent its upper end, is provided with a plurality of radially extending pipes or tubular arms 54 which communicate at their inner ends with the interior passage 55 of the spray member 29 and at their outer ends termi-nate in discharge nozzles or spray-creating devices 56, which atomize the discharged liquid. Preferably the outer end of eacharm or pipe 54 is bent laterally and'horizontally so as to `function as a hydraulic tourniquet. The nozzles 56 at the discharge ends of the arms or pipes 54 preferably discharge rearwardly of their'direction of rotation with the spray member of which they form a part, and may also in some instances be given a slight down-` ward tilt or inclination.

The frame 15 within-the casing 10 is proy plate 57 extending toward the spindle 26 and having a centralopening around the spindle which serves as a gas inlet leading to the center of the fan or blower element ofthe centrifugal type. The inner edge of the plpteof thecasing 10 may be provided with a drawn out.

57 along the central opening 58 may terminate in a small, upwardly oblique flange 58a. The fan may have a fla-nge or lip 58b which depends into the opening 58 for the purpose of throwing back to a side of the machine any water which may be drawn along the bottom side of the plate 57 by air or as currents in the casing. Thus, when the an or blower element 22 rotates, it 'will draw gas upwardly through the central opening 58 in the partition 57 and discharge it outwardly towards the side walls of the casing. The partition prevents downward movement of this outwardly discharged gas, and consequently the gas will travel upwardly past the motor 2() and between the arms 19 of the upper frame section 16, while rotating horizontallv to some extent.

Sprayliquid isl supplied to the reservoir 12in any suitable manner, such as by a supply pipe .59 controlled by a suitable loat-operated valve 60, so that the liquid level in said casing will be maintained substantially constant. Pipes 61 and 62 also connect the reservoir with any suitable liquid conditioning device, such as a cooling or refrigerating device (not shown),

the liquid in the reservoir being withdrawn through the pipe 61, conditioned as to temperature and returned to the reservoir by the pipe 62. This circulation keeps the liquld in the vreservoir at the desired temperature condition.

opening through the bottom wall of the Casing. An. overflow pipe 63a is threaded into 'the'inlet end -of pipe 63 in the bottom of the The liquid may be withdrawn -from the reservoir through a drain pipe 63 ervoir for heating the liquid thereof. Such a steam pipe is a simple form of heater and maybe used instead'of the pipes 61 and 62 andthe conditioning device in some instances where only heating is desired. 'For exam le, where the pipes 61 and 62 are connecte vto a refrigerating device, the use of the steam pipe 64 as a 'heater avoids the'necessity of disconnecting the refrigeratingdevice when for an interval it is desired to heat instead of refrigerate the spray liquid;

A cylindrical shell or wall 66 may closely surround the depending section 37 of the bearing member 35 and extend downwardly to the floor or bottom of the casin or reser voir"'('Figs. 1 and 2). This shel or wall 66 is provided with an aperture 67 throu pipe 62 preferably extends some distance into oh which the stopper lever 43 enters. The inlet minates in proximity to but spaced from the opening 67. The spray li uid injected through the pipe 62 will thus be ischarged in proximity to the opening 67 in a directlon toward same, so as to tend to pass through the opening 67 and enter the enclosure formed by the shell 'or wall 66. Thus, when the Ystopperlever'li is rocked-to carry its plate 46 away `from the bearing member 35, liquid will flow from the reservoir through the opening 67 into the enclosure formed by wall 66 and thence will pass upwardly into the open, lower end of the spray member 29.

The conditioned liquid entering the reser- Voir through the pipe 62 will largely pass into the enclosure and then into the spray member 29, with the result that the spray member will always receive the'conditioned liquid before it has been materially modified by the other liquid remaining in the reservoir. Any excess of the conditioned liquid injected through the pipe 62 will of course pass into the reservoir, and if the injected supply is insuicient, other liquid from the reservoir will enter the enclosure through the opening The liquid which enters and rises in the lower 'end of the passage 55 of the spray member 29 will be rotated with the spray member,

or of increasing or greater diameter for a portion of its length, and the lower part of '45 this passage may also, if desired,^be provided with one or'more vanes, ribsv or fins 68, which positively insure rotation of the liquid with the spray member, and'hence serve as one form of priming means. vThese vanes or ns may be of any desired number and preferably extend from the lower open end upwardly for some distance. The liquid will rise in the bearing member and the y shield 40 to approximately the level of the surrounding liquid in the reservoir, and the immersion of the bearing ring 32 in this liquid vwill provide the desired lubrication for the lower end of the spray element.

In the illustrated embodiment of the in'- vention, the spray memberl 29 is formed of a vertical'tube having tubular arms extending laterally therefrom adjacent its upper end and terminating in discharge nozzles or terminals 56, but it willbe observed that in principle the spray member may be considered as formed of a conduit having a vertical section opening at its lower end into the liquid of the reservoir, and one or more lateral sections terminating at their outer ends in discharge oriices 56a (Fig. 12). The vertical section of'this eonduit should have a portion of upwardly lncreasing cross section arranged or extending below the liquid level in said reservoir, in order to elevate liquid fromthe reservoir to the level of the lateral section. This upward increase in diameter or cross section may be abrupt, gradual, or both, or in one or more stages. Each lateral section of the conduit, is formed so as to swirl the column of liquid therein im- `mediately preceding and approaching the orifice about an axis extendingI in the direction of liquid discharge from said orifice. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, this swirl isA obtained by introducing the column of liquid approximately tangentiallyinto the casing of the discharge nozzle 56, in which case the discharge orifice 56a may be approximately central of a side wall of the nozzle casing.

The orifice is smaller than the inlet end of the lateral conduit section, and the lateral section of the conduit may, in some instances, also have a reduction in cross section intermediate its ends, and of a size intermediate the inlet end-and discharge orilice. This reduction may also be gradual, abrupt, or both, or in one or more stages, one stage being illustrated in Fig.' 12 at 54a. The liquid preferably is discharged backwardly with respect to the directionof travel of the discharge orifice during rotation of the spray member, and as discharged from such a device will have little or no momentum with respect to the casing, so that it will remain suspended as a'finely divided or atomized spray or mist completely filling the interior of the casing including the central area thereof which heretofore was not filled with spray from prior spray devices.

The liquid surrounding the lower end of the spray member, however, may tend to lrise to some extent along the outer vsurface of the spray member, and to prevent this, the spray member at thel same point above the liquid level in the reservoir and 'within the shield 40, Figs. 1 and 2, is provided with a laterally and outwardly extending surface 69 which throws oiv centrifugally, any li uid rising thereto along the outer surface o the spray A member.` This surface 69 maybe provided in a simple manner by forming an annular bead on the periphery of the spray member,

as illustrated in- Figs. 1 and 2. The spray member may also be provided with an external annular ring 70 adjacent its lower end,

which ring may be cut oi to some extent at different points in order to balance the spray member and prevent vibration thereof during rotation.

4 spray member 29 to the lower end of the passage When the stopper plate 46 is closed, the

lsupply of spray liquid to the spray member 'whenever the stopperplate 46 is closed, the

last portion of the liquid which is drawn into 55 will be partially discharged through the aperture 71. This discharged liquid falls upon the bearing ring to lubricatc it, works through the ring along the the passage 55 and is again picked up and recirculated through the aperture 71. By this arrangement a small amount of liquid always will be continually recirculated through the aperture 71 in an amount sufiicient to keep the bearing ring 32 wet and lubricated, whenever the stopperplate 46 is closed.

. The gasl inlet opening 13 is preferably somewhat below the spray arms 54, and thus the entering gas willhave a maximum of contact` with the spray discharged by the spray member. The slight downward tilt to the spray will be counter to the direction of flow of gas, and thus amore perfect, uniform and complete contact of spray and-gas will be obtained, with less tendency for' any unvaporized liquid to travel by inertia with the gas. Between the motor 20 and the gas outlet 14, a suitable liquid eliminator separator 72 may be arranged across the interior of the casing and through which the gas must pass in order to reach the outlets 14. This eliminator 72 may be supported upon the inside of the casing in any suitable manner, such as by brackets 73, and is preferably inclined somewhat in order to conduct to one side of the casin the unvaporized liquid separated thereby rom the moving gas. This separated liquid will pass down one side of the casing to the reservoir without material contact with the gas column until after it hasv been recirculated and discharged through the spray member.

A heater element 74 may be disposed in the casing 'above the eliminator 72-.in a position such that the gas leaving the eliminator 72 must pass through the heater element before reaching the outlets 14. The heater element may be of any suitable construction, such 'as by being formed of coils of pipes having spiral metal fins thereon for increasing the radiating surface. These coils may be supported in the casing in any suitable manner, such as by brackets 7 5, Fig. 1, and controlled by a valve 75a. Y

The upper edges of the radiating arms 19 of the upper frame section 16lare preferably downwardly hooked on similar sides as at 76,

`surfaces by the -tion to one another, as shown in Fig. 4,

so as to prevent disengagement of particles of unvaporized moisturedfrom the side surfaces of these arms into the u wardly moving column of gas, these hooke -edge portions 7 6 thus holding to the arms the unvaporized moisture engaging against the same as the gas passes upwardly between the arms. The gas leaving the blower element 22 will be circulating horizontally to some extent as well as passing upwardly, and the hooked edges are provided upon the faces of the arms 19 against which the gas If desired, the upper edges of the other vertical surfaces of the upper section of the framel 15 may also have downwardly hooked ortions 77 to also prevent the pulling from t ose l which has collected thereon. The casing may also be rovided with a sliding manhole or door 7 8, ig. 1, through which access may be had to the motor for lubricating thesame.

Each'inlet opening 13 may have a slidable door 79, Figs. 3 to 5, cooperating therewith and by which the effective opening may be varied, so that the quantity of gas entering the casing may be varied to some extent. This door may be slidably confined against the casing walls by suitable guide `flanges 80 having grooves facin one another along the opposite side edges o the opening, and each door may have a suitable handle V81 by which it may be raised or lowered, as desired. The door'79 shown in Figs. 3-5 is indicated by full lines in its closed position and by dash lines in a partially open position. While normaly the ingoing gas will be sufficient to prevent the exit of spray through the inlet openings, I preferably provide louvre plates 82 across each inlet opening 13. These louvre plates may be V-shaped and arranged vertically in spaced but somewhat nesting relaut sufficiently close to one another to compel gas or spray to travel in a circuitous path from one face to another of the row of louvre plates. These plates 82 may have their outer edges hooked rearwardly and inwardly of the V as at 83, to trap any spray moving outwardly along the surfaces of these plates.

` The plates 82 may extend between and be connected to upper and lower plates 84 and 85 which have flanges 86 along their forward edges hooked over the upper ends of the plates 82 to confine them together. The upper and lower ends of the lates "82 may alsohave angular flanges 87 fitting flatwise against and secured to the upper and lower plates 84 and 85. These angular flanges 87 also serve as spacers between the plates. 82 during assembly. The upper and lower plates 84 and 85 are also provided with laterally extending angular portions or Vflanges. 88 which are slidingly guided in the grooves of the guide ized moisture flanges 80 adjacent the door 79, so that the impinges as it rotates.

moving gas of any unvapor' louvre plates across each inlet 13 may be raised or lowered as a group when access to the interior of the casing through any inlet the reservoir is filled to a desired level Witha spray liquid, such as to the level indicated by the dash line 42, in Figs. 1 and 2. Assuming that the gas to be treated is air and that the air is to be dehumidified, the pipes 61 and 62 will be connected to alrefrigerating device, so that the liquid in the reservoir will be circulated through the refrigerating device repeatedly and returned to the reservoir at a point adjacent the opening 67. Further assuming that the relative humidity of the air is too high, the humidistat, not shown, Will have operated the motor 52 to set the arm 51 in a position in which it elevates the outer end of the stopper lever 43 and moves the stopper plate 46 away from the bearing member 35, so that the liquid within the enclosure formed by the wall 66 can flow around the outer edge a of the stopper plate to the lower open end of the passage 55 of the spray member 29.

The motor 2O is started and the blower element 22 and spray member 29 will be rotated by the motor. The blower element 22 induces an upward movement of air through the casing, and the liquid entering the lower end of the spray element will be rotated thereby, raised to the level of the pipe arms 54 and then discharged in the form of a spray very much in the manner of discharge from a hydraulic tourniquet, with the exception that the arms of the tourniquet in this device are motor driven in a direction opposite to the direction in which the discharge of the spray occurs. W'fth backwardly directed but power driven spray nozzles, a more complete, efficient and uniform contact -of the liquid and air is obtained, due probably to the fact that by separately driving the tourniquet, the

fine spray discharged by the nozzles will have little momentum relative to the easing when discharged, and only the heavier or unvaporized particles will be thrown outwardly against the walls of the casing, the discharged liquid largely remaining distributed throughout the interior of the casing in the form of a suspended fine mist for contact with the air column.v

By disposing the nozzles slightly above the opening inlets 13, there vwill be less tendency for any unvaporized moisture to escape through the inlet openings 13, and the slight downward inclination of the spray will be counter to the direction of travel of the air, which has been found to aid the mixing of the air and the spray mist. The backward discharge of the spray liquid tends to lessen the resistance to rotation of the spray member, and hence less power is required to rotate such a spray member than would be necessary nozzles will have sufiicient inertia to be thrown outwardly to the sides of the casing beyond the limits of the air column which is drawn towards the center by the central'opening 58. Some or all of the nozzles may also discharge the liquid with a slight lateral inclination toward their axisv of rotation so as to provide spray in the center of the casing as well as along thesides.

The blower element being of the centrifugal type further mixes the air and liquid handled thereby, and by producing a sharp change inthe direction of travel of the air and liquid, any unvaporized liquid will impinge against the blades of the blo'wer element and be brought, While adherent, in contact with further air which strikes the blades of the blower element. The liquid particles thrown ofi' from the blades of the fan will be broken up into a fine mist for contact with the swirling gas. If an excess of unvaporized liquid collects on the blower element, it will be thrown outwardly by centrifugal action against the sides of the casing and will then run down the sides to the reservoir for recirculation through the spray. The radiating arms and the hooks 77 on the upper frame section l will further aid in removing unvaporize moisture from the air, and the eliminator 72 will complete the elimination from the passing air of any unvaporized moisture. If it is desired to elevate the temperature of the dehumidified air, this can be done by conducting a heatingluid through the coils 74.

The amount of air passing through the casing can be varied by sliding upwardly and downwardly the doors 79 at the inlet openings 13. By operation of the motor 52 under either manual or automatic control, the stopper lever 43 may be rocked to move the stopper plate 46 into partial or entire obstructing position against the bottom of the bearing member 35 so as to cut down or off the amount of liquid entering and discharged by the spray member 29. During rotation of the spray member, the circulating liquid will keep the bearing ring 32 lubricated Whether or not the stopper plate is closed, and the bearing for the lower end of the spray member is sel-alined, this self-alinement being permitted by the flexibility in the spindle 26fand the limited self-adjustment of the bearing ring 32. On the other hand, there is no danger of breakage of the rotary parts in vshipping the device because of the protection afforded for the flexible portion of the spindle.

' The invention has been described in connection with an embodiment which has been found useful in the conditioning of air, but it will be understood that devices constructed in accordance with this invention can also be ad- A vantageously used in the treatment of various gases y various liquids. It will also be obvious that various changes in the details, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the iny with the lower end of said element and at its upper end secured to said element for rotation therewith, said member below its connection to said element having a portion of relatively'small diameter to permit flexing thereof, said element having a guard encircling said member at a point adjacent to or below said flexible portion and having some clearance therewith to permit a limited lateral movement of said member while iiexing,

said member having therein a passage, a floating bearing for the lower end of said member, means vkfor supplying a liquid to the passage in said member, `and a spray device carried by said member and communieating with the passage thereof for discharging a liquid from said member while the latter is rotating.

2. A gas treating device comprising a vertically extending' shaft having a passage open-ing through its lower end and extending upwardly therein for some distance, aspray creating device carried by said shaft above its lower end and communicating with said passage to receive therefrom a liquid to be discharged, means for rotating `said shaft,

a liquid reservoir into'which the lower end of said shaft extends whereby liquid may enter the lower end of said shaft and be elevated and discharged as a spray, 'a bearing for said shaft adjacent its lower end, through which the shaft and its passage extend, and including a shield portion extending around the bearing and above the liquid level in said reservoir, and a stopper device adjustably cooperating with said bearing to control liquid flow into said shaft from said reservoir.

3. A gas treating device comprising a vertically vextending shaft having a passage opening-throughits lower end and extending upwardly therein'for some distance, a spray creating device carried by said shaft above its lower end and communicating with said passage to receive therefrom-a liquid to be discharged, means for rotating said shaft, a

liquid reservoir into which the lower end of said shaft extends wherebyv liquid may enter the lower end of said shaft and be elevated and discharged as a spray, a bearing for the lower end of said shaft having a portion extending above the liquid level in said reservoirandopen at its lower end, and a stopper device movable into and out of a position in which it closes the opening in the lower end of said bearing to control the liquid flow to said shaft from said reservoir.

4. A gas treating devicecomprising avertically disposed tubular conduit, means for rotating said conduit about a vertical axis, said conduit being openat its lower end, a liquid reservoir into the liquid of which said lowerV end of said conduit extends, a spray device carried by said conduit and discharging liquid elevated in said conduit, a ring of water lubricated material having a bearing passage into which the lower end of said conduit extends and in which said conduit rotates, said conduit having a small lateral opening above said ring to discharge thereon a small stream of liquid elevated in said conduit by rotation of the latter, whereby sufficient of the elevated liquid will be discharged upon said ring to lubricate the same.

5. A gas treating device comprising a casing having an apertured partition interniedi- .i

adjacent the edge thereof, a spray creating fdevice in said casing at the side of said partition opposite said blower, said casing having a gas inlet therein for conducting a gas to be treated to saidspray creating device, and

also a gas outlet at the blower side of said partition, whereby said gas will be conducted through said casing in contact with said spray, the iiange on said blower throwing back toward the casing walls any unvaporized liquid which may be drawn along the face of said partition opposite said blower by the'current of gas passing through the aperture of said partition.

6. A gas treating device comprising a liquid reservoir, a spray member having a tubular portion depending into andx opening into said reservoir, and also having spray creating means communicating with said tubular portion to receive liquid therefrom, and driving means having a suspension connection to said spray'memberl which is of greater flexibility than said member for suspending and rotating the spray member.

7. A gas treating device comprising a liquid reservoir, a conduit having an approximately vertical and a lateral section, said vertical section having its lower end ope'ning into the liquid in said reservoir,

said conduitzbeing rotatable about the vertical axis of its vertical section andthe outer lio free end of the lateral section having a discharge orifice, said Ivertical section below. the liquid level 1n said reservoir, increasing 1n cross section upwardly, and the orifice of said lateral section being smaller than the inlet end of'the lateral section, said lateral section being formed to swirl the liquid imtion of said conduit be elevated through the vertical section into the lateral section and discharged from the latter through said orifice.

8. A gas treating device, comprising a vertically disposed conduit, freely iiexible means for suspending said conduit and rotating the same upon a vertical axis, said conduit provided with means for admitting a liquid to the lower part thereof and causing it to be sprayed from its upper portion, a motor for causing the suspended conduit to be rotated at its upper end, and laterally yiel-dable means about the conduit at its lower end to maintain the rotating conduit in dynamic balance.

9. In a gas treating device, the combination of a vertical tubular member provided at the bottom with an inlet and at the top with spraying devices, a liquid reservoir into which the lower end of the tubular member extends for receiving liquid therefrom, means connected to one end of said` member for rotating the tubular member about its vertical axis, and yielding bearing means for the upper and lower portions of the tubular member which permit lateral movement of the meme ber whereby during rotation thereof the tubular member may have freedom for 'automatic adjustment of its bearing means.

10. A gas treating device comprisinga closed, vertically extending conduit open at its lower end, a reservoir into which the lower end of said conduit extends, means for rotating said conduit about its vertical axis, said conduit having a closed tubular arm communicating with the upper end of the conduit and rotating therewith, said tubular arm extending outwardly in a somewhat radial direction from said conduit and terminating at its outer end in a fine spray producing orifice discharging rearwardly with respect to its direction of rotation, and nor# mal to a radius from said orifice to said axis, whereby said discharged spray will be substantially free of momentum in said casing and the propelling force,v of the discharged liquid will aid the rotation of said conduit to elevate additional liquid.

11. A gas treating device comprising a closed, vertically extending conduit open at its lower end, a reservoir into which the lower end of said conduit extends, means for rotating said conduit about its vertical axis, said conduit having a..c`losed tubular arm communicating with the upper end of the conduit and rotating therewith, said tubular arm extending outwardly in a somewhat radial direction from said conduit and terminating at its outer end in a closed, disc-like cylindrical chamber into which it opens in a direction approximately tangential thereto, said chamber having its cylindrical axis extending approximately horizontal and having in an end a short, central discharge orifice discharging rearwardly withrespect to the direction of rotation of the chamber about the vertical axis of said conduit, whereby liquid will be elevated, and then discharged as a line mist without substantial momentum, and means for passing a current of gas through the space in which said mist is created.

12. A gas treating device comprising a rotating member, a closed tubular 'arm carried by said member and extending laterally away from the axis of said member, means for rotating said member about said axis, means for supplying a liquid to the'inner end of said arm for discharge through said arm by centrifugal action, the outer end of said arm terminating in a cylindrical, disclike chamber into which the passage of said arm enters in a direction somewhat tangentially ofthe outer portion of the chamber, whereby the liquid entering the chamber will be whirled spirally and inwardly, one end of said chamber Ahaving a short, approximately central orifice through which the whirling liquid of the chamber is discharged, said chamber bcing disposed with said orifice discharging rearwardly with respect to its direction of travel while rotating with said chamber, whereby the liquid discharged will be in the form of a fine mist and in suspension and substantialy motionless in the space into which it is discharged, and means for passing a current of gas through said space for contact with said mist.

13. A gas \treating device, comprising a casing having a gas inlet opening in one part thereof and a gas outlet opening in another part thereof, a motor mounted in said casing between said inlet and outlet openings and having a shaft, a blower element and a rotary spray device carried and rotated by said A shaft between said inlet and outlet openings,

with the blower and motor between the spray device and the outlet, means for supplying liquid to said spray device during its rota# tion, a partition in said casing between the spray device and the blower element andhaving an opening for conducting a gas from the space-around th-e spray .device to the intake side of the blower, the blower element discharging the gas into the part of the casing toward said outlet and a free moisture eliminator disposed between said outlet and said blower and motor through` which the gas must pass in reaching` said outlet.

a path well spaced from the wall of said cas'- ing, means for supplying a treating liquid to said nozzle during its rotation, and mechanical means for rotating said nozzle in a direction oppositefrom the direction of discharge of liquid from said nozzle, said casing having no obstructions between its wall and said rotating nozzle.

15. A gas treating device comprising a casing, means for passing a current of a gas to be treated through said casing, a nozzle of a type which atomizes into a misty condition, any liquid discharged by it, means supporting said nozzle for Vrotation in said casing and in a path wellspaced from the wall of said casing, means for supplying a treating liquid to said nozzle during its rotation, and mechanical means for rotating said nozzle in a direction opposite from the direction of discharge of liquid 4from said nozzle, said casing having no obstructions between its wall and said rotating` nozzle, said nozzle discharging its liquid in a direction substantially normal to a radius from the nozzle discharge opening to f the axis of rotation 'of said nozzle, whereby lthe inner end of said lateral passage, said disthe liquid when discharged will be left substantially in motionless suspension in said casing. v

16. A gas treatingdevice comprising a casing, means for passing a current of a gas to be treated through said casing", a rotary member having a substantially closed vertical passage along the axis of rotation of said member and also a laterally extending substantially closed passage connected to the upper end of said vertical passage, mechanical means for rotating said member, said lateral passage dis-c charging any liquid therein in a direction rearwardly of the direction of movement ofV the discharge end and substantially normal to the radius from said discharge end to said axis, means for supplying liquid to the lower end of said vertical passage, said vertical passage having therein means operable by rotation of said member to elevate the liquid supplied to-said vertical passage and deliver it to charge end being spaced well from said casing and said axis, and said casing being Jree ofobstructions betweenY said axis and di scharge end in the section adjacent said end, whereby liquid dischargedby rotation of said member will be substantially motionless in said casing Vat the instant following discharge, andthe propelling force of the discharged liquid will aid in the power required to 'rotate said memberand elevate said liquid therein'.

" 17. The method of treating a gas with a liquid in the axial arm of the column; and Y passing a gas to be treated through the path of thedischarge end of said column.

18. The method of treating .a gas which Vcomprises rotating a column of liquid about an axis adjacent one end of the column and transverse to the axis of the column end nearest thereto, so as to create a centrifugal presrestricting the cross sectional area of said columnat a plurality of stages towardthe discharge end of the column, with the smallest cross sectional area at the discharge end of the column.

19. The method of treating a gas with a liquid which comprises whirling a column of liquid rapidly about an axis adjacent one end of the column and extending crosswise of the axis of the adjacent end of the column, so as `to urge movement of said column along its axis by centrifugal force, and discharging the liquid of said column from'the outer end of the column in a direction opposite from the direction of travel of the-discharge end of the column and substantially normal to a radius from the discharge end. of said column to said axis of rotation, whereby the discharged liquid Will be substantially motionless and free of momentuman instant after its disf charge from said column.

20. A gas treating device comprising a shaft, means for rotating said shaft about its axis, a hydraulic tourniquet device connected to and rotatable with said shaft and discharging liquid therefrom in a direction reverse to the direction of rotation of said shaft, and

substantially normal to a radius from the dis- -charge opening'to the axis of rotation, said device discharging through a nozzle having a relatively small Aopening designed to buildup a pressure within the device, and means for supplying a liquid to said tourniquet device while rotating withsaid shaft.

' CARLYLE M. ASHLEY.

85. Ys ure on said column tending to discharge the i hquid thereof from free end of the'c'olumn, 

